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Star Ocean IV trailer comes courtesy Star Ocean PSP disc
The above trailer for the PS3-exclusive Star Ocean IV was ensconced in the Japanese release of Star Ocean: The First Departure – a remake of the original Star Ocean for PSP. The internet, being what it is, collectively willed the bits to fly from their UMD-prison and manifest themselves on YouTube of all places, where the entire world could enjoy them. Before the 360 owners worry they won't be enjoying the title, remember developer Tri-Ace is working on the awkwardly titled Xbox 360 exclusive Infinite Undiscovery. So everyone's happy, right?[Via PS3 Fanboy]
New Star Ocean 4 screens show space, Fayt 2.0
If we notice anything about the newly released scans/screenshots of Tri-Ace's Star Ocean 4, it's that they haven't yet pumped up the character designs from the critically acclaimed, but fanbase panned, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. Case in point: Fayt enjoyed keeping his sword at an awkward horizontal position around his bum. Sure, it may be convenient for quick-unsheathing, but for moving through a crowd that would be irritating! Seems the new main character of Star Ocean 4 has the same line of thinking, along with touting a lady friend at his side.We're not complaining -- the games deliver fun and fast-paced battles and we're very excited to watch this newest entry mold itself into something spectacular. Seriously, the new generation of consoles need their RPGs and for a lot of people, Blue Dragon and Eternal Sonata just won't cut the mustard. We'll keep looking for more info on this game as it develops, as it already looks to be on the right sci-fi track, as the screens depict. Despite this, we doubt it'll surpass the sheer quality seen in PS2 titles such as Unlimited Saga.
Star Ocean 1 and 2 destined for PSP rerelease
During a recent press conference in Japan, Tri-Ace (in conjunction with Square Enix) have revealed that they will be remaking Star Ocean and Star Ocean: The Second Story for the PSP. Originally on the SNES and the PSX, respectively, these titles should get some decent spit-and-polish treatment before their release. Though from the look of the presentation slides, I wouldn't expect any Final Fantasy III style 3D-ification. But that's ok, 2D better suits the anime style of the game.While the short blurb is beyond my limited Japanese knowledge, there is mention of the 30th of May. I'm doubtful that will be the release date, though there's the possibility that we'll see some more information being released on that day.Though there's little more to say than that, we'll let you know of any developments. Be sure to check out the slides captured from the conference over at Gemaga 1985. With Dissidia and now the first two Star Ocean games on the way, it looks like RPG fans are going to have a tough time putting their PSPs down.PS3 owners, be sure to check out this post over at PS3 Fanboy for more Square Enix news.[Via GamesAreFun]
New Star Ocean forthcoming, reveals Famitsu
According to the latest issue of Famitsu, a very credible Japanese gaming periodical, Square Enix will announce a new chapter in the Star Ocean series at the Square Enix Party mid-May. The party is also purported to be showing off 10 Final Fantasy titles, including a "Final Fantasy that is not known by anyone," according to ad for the event.As for which console the next Star Ocean will appear on is unknown. Developer tri-Ace, who is also known for Valkyrie Profile and Radiata Stories, has predominantly worked with Sony hardware. Their most recently-announced project, Infinite Undiscovery, is the anomalistic Xbox 360 title.[Via Wii, PS3 Fanboy]
Square Enix to announce next Star Ocean title in May
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine in Japan states that Square Enix is going to reveal something tasty next month -- the next entry into the Star Ocean franchise. It's getting its big reveal at the Square Enix Party 2007 event taking place next month. Next month, get it?Whether the game will retain the futuristic elements its known for has yet to be announced, but we can only say this: don't let it suck so hard. While critics and fans hailed Star Ocean 2 and Star Ocean: Till The End of Time as great games... they just didn't do it for me. Tri-Ace is normally a fantastic developer in my eyes and Square Enix was smart to snatch them up. However, they've got to learn a few things about making games that Star Ocean generally misses out on: Don't drag out a story that's ended. Star Ocean 2 did this pretty horribly once you reach the second disc. All you have to do is fight the 13 whatever-they-were, but no. Tons of little nonsensical quests sprouted up to drag the playtime out. Hire better writers (I'm always available). We're not talking about the basic storyline, here. We mean dialogue. If you play Star Ocean: TTEoT, think about what each character is saying. Here's an example: Dude: "We need to get the random item to advance the story!" Lady: "The random item to advance the story?" Dude: "Yes, it has great power to make this game not suck!" Lady: "Great power?" Dude 2: "It is rumored it destroyed Nick Doerr's interest in this title." Lady 2: "His interest?" Get the idea? Everyone had to question every single line of dialogue everyone else said. It was stupid.Feel free to add your own issues to this list, but those are my main concerns. If those are addressed, I'd gladly give Star Ocean IV a shot. We'll come back with more details as they surface.
New Tri-Ace RPG for Xbox 360 undiscovered
New information leaping from the obscenely colorful pages of Famitsu reveals a brand new Tri-Ace RPG for the Xbox 360 -- the uncomfortably named Infinite Undiscovery. Widely known for in-your-face epics, Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile, the Japanese developer has released little information regarding the fantasy title thus far, with GAF mentioning real-time battles and support for online play. While the game is unlikely to have any relation to last year's smash hit, Everlingering Nonemergence*, it is very much an important coup in Microsoft's continuing battle against apathy in Japan. * This game has not been proven to exist in any shape or form. [Scan courtesy of duckroll from GAF.]
Metareview - Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
IGN was one of the first outlets out of the gate with a Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth review as they awarded it an Editor's Choice award, but now, more reviews have been pouring in. While this is another port, which some people don't seem to like, it seems like it's one of the best RPGs yet for our beloved PSP. However, that may not mean a whole lot since the PSP's RPG library is nothing to write home about. Will Lenneth change all that? IGN (85/10) gets right to the point by saying it's "the best RPG that the PSP has received to date." 1UP (80/100) appreciates the change of pace Lenneth brings to the table. "As an originator, Valkyrie Profile is an inspired maverick in a field of me-too RPGs, beautiful to look at and exciting to play." Gamespot (75/100) thinks it's a decent game, but only fans of the genre may have fun with it when they said, "A solid port of a one-of-a-kind role-playing game that is endlessly appealing to genre fans who are looking for something different, but it's a bit too dense for everyone else." So there you have it. While Lenneth doesn't appear to be anything spectacular, it should offer someone itching for some RPGing on the go a lot of fun.
Valkyrie Profile earns an IGN Editor's Choice award
Another day, yet another Valkyrie Profile review. The 1UP Show got me thinking: "maybe the load times will make this a bad game." Rest assured, IGN has posted their review of the game, one long day before its final release, and it is good. In fact, it's so good, it gets a shiny Editor's Choice award. While I nervously wait for 24 hours to pick this game up, the IGN staff goes into painful detail about the non-linear gameplay, multiple difficulty settings, multiple endings and revamped audio. With a potential of 40 hours of gameplay, you're only paying a buck for an entire hour of gameplay. It might not be as impressive as Blade Dancer's supposed 70 hours of gameplay, but it's enough for me to take the plunge. So how about you, PSP Fanboys? Will you be making the trek to your local video game store tomorrow to play with the gods?
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria Japanese media
Square Enix's Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is only a few months away from its September North American release. However, Japanese gamers will be enjoying it by the end of the week, and RPGamer has posted some magazine scans from the Far East that collect artwork and screens from the game. Check out Silmeria's E3 trailer at GameTrailers. Lenneth, the PSP port of the original Valkyrie Profile, ships July 18. See also: Valkyrie Profile returns in 2006
Valkyrie Profile & Xenosaga dates in Japan released
1UP's got a few Japanese release dates ready for Xenosaga III and Tri-Ace's Valkyrie Profile games. Valkyrie Profile Lenneth (the PSP remake of the original VP) actually came out in Japan the other day, while Silmeria (the all-new PS2 prequel to Lenneth) is set for release on June 22nd. Xenosaga III, meanwhile, makes its debut (and closes out at least the current-gen storyline) on July 6th. We're not sure about the release dates of these titles outside of Japan, but 1UP currently lists US dates as 8/1/2006 for 'saga, 9/15/2006 for Lenneth, and 9/20/2006 for Silmeria. Without official announcements, however, they're just good guesses. See also: Valkyrie Profile returns in 2006 Valkyrie Profile Lenneth "Promotion Movie" up for grabs Thus spoke the Xenosaga Episode III chicks Xenosaga 3 & a 1 plus 2 combo (on DS!) revealed in Famitsu
Valkyrie Profile Lenneth "Promotion Movie" up for grabs
Valkyrie Profile Lenneth has a new "Promotion Movie" up online, so either click away for the 20MB preview (with our handy image link to the right), or find it in the Outline section of the official VP web site. Square Enix is bringing its considerable production values to its PSP remake of the original Valkyrie Profile with added pre-rendered cutscenes and a widescreen display. Just be aware that the video may look best at 50% of its current dimensions (which is probably the way it was encoded). If the weird live-action segments throw you off at the beginning, don't worry: tri-Ace pulls out the actual (32-bit?) sprite-based gameplay near the end. Aw, so no true 3D remake then? [Via Siliconera]
Valkyrie Profile returns in 2006
Square Enix and Tri-Ace (Star Ocean, Radiata Stories) have announced plans to release two new Valkyrie Profile games for the PS2 and PSP. Silmeria (PS2) will be a direct sequel to the original PS1 RPG and will launch sometime in 2006. Lenneth (PSP), on the other hand, is a complete remake of the original game and will contain additional cut scenes and movies to connect the two stories. Lenneth (named after the game's heroine) will be released in Japan on March 2, but no U.S. dates have been announced for either game. The original Valkyrie Profile was praised for its strong visuals - particularly the portraits and battle effects - as well as its engaging characters. However, the game's handling of "time" and its relation to the entering and exit points on the world map made it confusing for some. Additional details for the new games will be available when Square Enix launches the official Valkyrie Profile web site on Dec. 12.
